2026-2027 HTM Opportunities
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) offers events, activities, monetary support as well as teacher and student support for your Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) program.
The FRLAEF believes participation in these activities can lead to a richer learning environment for you and your students. Events and opportunities are listed throughout the August NewsBites below.
FRLAEF Staff Changes
At the end of June, Amy Parker left her position with the FRLAEF after 25 years of working with the ProStart and HTM programs. She accepted the Director of Music Ministry position at her church where she worked for many years as their pianist.
We are excited to announce Hayley Klees joined us in July and has taken over Amy’s position. Hayley is a Tallahassee native who brings nearly a decade of experience in education and association leaderships. From her time as a middle school teacher and coach to leading her own project management business and serving as Director of Member Relations for the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, she has built strong partnerships with career-focused institutions across the state. You will be hearing from Hayley, as you did Amy, throughout the school year. You may also contact her directly at [email protected].
HTM/Foodsafety Curriculum & Fall Survey
The FRLAEF will distribute free HTM and ServSafe curriculum to Florida HTM schools during the 2026-2027 school year. In order to receive free HTM and Foodsafety curriculum, teachers should complete the Fall HTM Survey. Once you have completed the survey, we will send you a link to request up to $3,000 of free HTM curriculum and $500 free ServSafe materials!
TAKE THE FALL SURVEY NOW!
Deadline to complete survey is September 18, 2026.
Mini Grants
The FRLAEF is offering $125,000 in Mini Grant funding to HTM and ProStart schools this year. To assist in your planning, the average is $1000 per school.
There are two prerequisites for grant funding: 1) you must currently teach the HTM curriculum, and 2) you must complete the HTM Fall Survey.
The FRLAEF Board of Directors prefers to fund items that will make your classroom self-sustaining or equipment that will be used frequently throughout the year. The board WILL NOT APPROVE electronics to include printers, computers, iPads, and digital cameras. They also do not typically approve field trips, curriculum (to include ServSafe and SafeStaff) and transportation. Please include a good explanation of how the item will be used in the classroom as this is your justification for the purchase. If you are new to Mini Grants, please let us know what questions you have!
The application deadline is Friday, September 18, 2026.
APPLY FOR A MINI GRANT NOW!
GRANT AWARD NOTIFICATION: The FRLAEF Board will meet in October to determine awards.
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show takes place October 25-27 in Orlando.
HTM INSTRUCTORS
HTM teachers may use the following complimentary code to register for the Show. Complimentary code: ANDREAVIP
Go Here and click on “Start Non-Member Registration”
HTM STUDENTS
Up to 10 HTM students may attend the Show. However, there is a $30 fee per student and the following rules apply.
- Students may register at the rate of $30 per person.
- Each group of 5 students must be accompanied by a faculty member or chaperone (21+), and the group must remain with their chaperone at all times. Any students found unaccompanied on the show floor will be escorted back to the lobby and will have their badge voided with no refund. No more than 10 students will be permitted per school.
- If maximum student allotment is reached, student registration will be closed.
- Discount codes are not valid on Student Admission registrations and students will be required to show their ID to get their name badges.
To register your students, click the link above and enter the code STU2025
EDUCATION AT THE SHOW Forty-plus hours of education is included with your Show badge! Take advantage of the free education classes once you are at the Show. The schedule has not been set, but check for updates on THIS PAGE to plan your time at the Show to full advantage.
High School Hospitality Survey
The American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation is working with Dr. Suzanne Bagnera to review the high school hospitality landscape through the survey below. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. All the instructors that attended the HTM Teacher Training completed the survey. They would love input from everyone else as well. Please scan the QR code below or click here to complete the survey.
Florida HTM Competition
The 22nd Annual HTM Competition will take place March 3-5, 2027 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. The FRLAEF will cover some costs of the competing teams, including hotel stay and 
most meals.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 2, 2026
APPLICANTS NOTIFIED STATUS: Friday, October 9, 2026
APPLY TO COMPETE HERE!
HTM FaceBook Group
Join the Florida HTM FB page to share resources, ask questions, etc. CLICK HERE and then request to be added.
Hospitality Industry Internships
The Hospitality Industry Internship (HII) provides the opportunity for Florida HTM instructors to work in a 
foodservice/lodging establishment for at least 40 hours. Once the required paperwork has been processed, the participant will receive a personal check for $800.
To qualify for an HII, the instructor must teach the HTM curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year. If you are already employed at a restaurant or hotel, you MAY NOT use that site for your internship. The restaurant/hotel must be a new work experience for you, not somewhere you have worked before or used as an HII internship location.
The applicant must secure a position at a foodservice or lodging facility where a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on experience is guaranteed. The host location may pay the recipient but is not required to do so.
The FRLAEF will award 11 HII’s this school year on a first-come, first-served basis. So apply NOW! Work experience may begin once the applicant receives an award notification from the FRLAEF.
APPLY NOW!
Scholarships
The FRLAEF will award at least $65,000 in scholarships during the 2026-2027 school year. Each scholarship awarded will be in the amount of $2,000 and will be a one-time, non-
renewable scholarship.
To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must:
- Be enrolled in a ProStart program in a Florida secondary school
- Be a graduating senior who will begin post-secondary education in 2027
- Be entering a culinary or hospitality post-secondary program
- Return a copy of their OFFICIAL high school transcript to FRLAEF by application deadline
APPLICATION TIMELINE The FRLAEF Scholarship application will become available in January NewsBites. The application deadline is April 9, 2027.
The 6th annual HTM Summer Training will take place during July of 2027. It is anticipated the training will be held in Orlando, but more details will follow as they are finalized. 
PROGRAM COST
The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida HTM instructors who have purchased and are using the Hospitality & Tourism Management curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year. Attendees will be responsible for their travel and some meals.
REGISTRATION
Online registration will begin March NewsBites.